{"id":982,"date":"2021-03-03T23:44:12","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T23:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aaronshearingcare.com\/?p=982"},"modified":"2021-03-05T17:01:08","modified_gmt":"2021-03-05T17:01:08","slug":"the-link-between-hearing-loss-cognitive-decline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aaronshearingcare.com\/the-link-between-hearing-loss-cognitive-decline\/","title":{"rendered":"The Link Between Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you think about the risks of untreated hearing loss, what comes to mind? Many people would mention difficulty communicating with others, strained relationships and feelings of isolation. But did you know that untreated hearing loss is also associated with a higher risk of developing dementia? We explore this connection below.<\/p>\n\n\n

What the Studies Show<\/h2>\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While experts are unsure exactly how hearing loss and dementia connected, there are two main hypotheses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Hearing loss and dementia share a common pathology. In other words, there is something underlying going on that causes both.<\/li>
  2. Hearing loss causes people to socially withdraw, a well-known risk factor for dementia.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    But one thing that\u2019s clear is there is a much higher prevalence of dementia<\/a> within the population of people with hearing loss compared to those without.<\/p>\n\n\n

    Johns Hopkins Study<\/h3>\n\n\n

    One study by Johns Hopkins that was published in 2013<\/a> followed nearly 2,000 seniors over six years. While all participants started the study with assessment scores that showed normal\/healthy cognition, at the end of the six years those with hearing loss were shown to be 24% more likely to meet the standard of cognitive impairment compared to those who had normal hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n

    Salt Lake City Study<\/h3>\n\n\n

    A study published in 2014 conducted by researchers from the University of Utah and Utah State University<\/a> yielded similar results. After assessing 4,463 seniors \u2013 none of which had dementia at the onset of the project \u2013 they found that, not only did more seniors with hearing loss develop dementia than those without, they also developed it faster. On average, it took about a decade for the cohort with hearing loss<\/a> to develop dementia compared to 12 years for those with normal hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n

    Hearing Loss Alters the Brain<\/h2>\n\n\n

    Brain scans have shown that hearing loss can actually alter the brain physically. In a 2011 study<\/a>, researchers took brain scans of older adults while listening to sentences of various complexity and conducted other tests to measure gray matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    They found that the neurons (brain cells) of people with hearing loss were less active, especially when trying to focus on complex sentences, and that they had less gray matter in auditory regions. This may be due to a combination of the natural aging process and the fact that those parts of the brain stop being stimulated once hearing loss prevents certain sounds from being processed.<\/p>\n\n\n

    Hearing Aids May Help<\/h2>\n\n\n

    Fortunately, preliminary studies show that hearing aids may reduce risk and slow the progression of cognitive decline. So if you want to preserve your most precious memories like a family day at Jaycee Beach Park<\/a>, seeking treatment for your hearing loss is an important first step. If you want to learn more about this connection or schedule an appointment with an audiologist, call Aaron\u2019s Hearing Aid & Audiology Center today.<\/p>\n\n\n

    Learn More About Hearing Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n